“Sometimes it is not the drugs, training, or skills – sometimes all you need is empathy to make a difference!”

A beautiful article published in The Telegraph tells of a paramedic in Queensland, Australia who used empathy to make more difference to a patients life that any drugs could do at that time. Enjoy reading this lovely article:

‘A touching photo of paramedics helping fulfil a dying woman’s final wish to see the ocean one last time has touched hearts around the world.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics went “above and beyond” to bring the palliative care patient, who was lying on a stretcher, to the beach.

The photo shows Queensland Advanced Care paramedic Graeme Cooper standing next to the woman, who passed away days later, looking out towards the picturesque Fraser Island from Hervey Bay.

“A crew were transporting a patient to the palliative care unit of the local hospital and the patient expressed that she just wished she could be at the beach again,” explained Hervey Bay officer-in-charge Helen Donaldson.

“Above and beyond, the crew took a small diversion to the awesome beach at Hervey Bay to give the patient this opportunity – tears were shed and the patient felt very happy.

“Sometimes it is not the drugs/training/skills – sometimes all you need is empathy to make a difference!”

Paramedic Danielle Kellan captured the touching moment and it was later shared on the QAS Facebook page where it has been shared more than 10,000 times.

The team told Daily Mail Australia they brought the patient to the beach for the first time two weeks ago as they were transporting her from the palliative care unit back home so she could be with her husband.

Ms Kellan said the photo was taken when they stopped at the beach for a second time on her final journey back to the palliative care unit.

“I said to the patient: ‘What are you thinking?’” she recalled. “And she said: ‘I’m at peace, everything is right’.”

The team’s kind actions have been praised on social media, one wrote: “As someone who recently lost a parent to cancer, this moved me to tears. Quite literally! Your compassion, your empathy – I can’t quite even put into words what amazingly beautiful people you are.”

Jen Boynton wrote: “This is absolutely beautiful! Such an amazing thing to do for that person. How beautiful that would [have] been to have a moment like that.”

Ms Donaldson praised the team’s “great work”, adding: “The service is very proud of you.”

original source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/23/paramedics-fulfil-dying-womans-final-wish-see-ocean-one-last/